After a three-month suspension to preserve fishery resources, fishing at Lake Nangbéto has officially resumed. Fishery Minister, Yark Damehame, announced the news on November 15. 

The official, however, indicated that the resumption comes with strict restrictions, including interdiction to use certain fishing techniques and equipment deemed destructive. These include gill nets or hawks nets with mesh sizes smaller than two and a half fingers, shore stages, pots with mesh sizes less than three fingers, and devices such as bamboo.

Additionally, practices like barré-barré, unbaited longlining, and the use of toxic products are strictly banned. These measures aim to limit fishing's negative impact on the Lake's resources and promote their long-term regeneration.

Minister Damehame also emphasized that fishermen need a permit issued by the Directorate of Fisheries and Aquaculture to fish on the Lake. This regulatory system is designed to provide a better framework for fishing activities and ensure compliance with standards to protect the ecosystem. 

The fishing sector is vital to the Togolese economy, directly employing over 22,000 people and accounting for about 4.5% of gross domestic product (GDP), according to official data.

Esaïe Edoh

NanaTech Entrepreneures, part of Togo's Ministry of Digital Economy and Transformation's NanaTech digital program, is celebrating its first cohort. The six-month initiative concluded with a Demo Day on November 16 in Lomé, where the 45 women participants presented their projects to investors and industry partners. During the ceremony, certificates of participation were awarded to the beneficiaries.

Digital Economy Minister, Cina Lawson, lauded the program's success, saying: "We want digital to be centered on people, and in particular on women, to be able to become a hub of digital innovation. So we expect them to come back to us in a few months and tell us how the training has supported them."

NanaTech Entrepreneures has enhanced female entrepreneurs' ability to use digital tools, improve business management, and expand their markets internationally through e-commerce. Projects presented included "Soke's Hands," a brand of handcrafted bags made from luxury pearls; "FaithProduct," an enriched flour company; and "Sunclay," a brand of natural clay-based cosmetics.

Funded by the Millennium Challenge Corporation and implemented by OMCA-Togo, NanaTech consists of five components. In addition to NanaTech Entrepreneures, these include NanaTech Immersion (a six-day intensive training program), NanaTech Écosystème (nationwide roundtables to strengthen the female entrepreneurial ecosystem), NanaTech Lab (an online training platform), and NanaTech Talents (a month-long program focused on developing entrepreneurship and digital skills among startups).

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Rwanda has appointed a new representative in Togo: Rosemary Mbabazi. On November 18, 2024, she presented her credentials as Rwanda's High Commissioner to Togo to the Togolese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prof. Robert Dussey. The two diplomats discussed areas of cooperation between their countries.

Rosemary Mbabazi is a politician and businesswoman who previously served as Minister of Youth. Her new role includes taking responsibilities for several countries in the sub region, including Ghana, Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Sierra Leone, and Liberia.

Togo and Rwanda have maintained a close diplomatic relationship for many years. Last August, Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé visited Kigali for the inauguration of President Paul Kagame, where they talked about diversifying their bilateral partnership and improving trade across the continent, especially in relation to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) transport ministers met in Lomé from November 5 to 8 and adopted a plan to reduce airfares in the region. This plan will be presented to ECOWAS Heads of State in December for approval and is expected to take effect in January 2026. 

The roadmap includes actions such as eliminating taxes that do not comply with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards and reducing passenger and security charges by 25%. The ministers noted that taxes and fees currently account for nearly 50% of the total cost of air tickets in West Africa; hence burdening travelers and affecting the competitiveness of local airlines. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), airport taxes and charges in West Africa can exceed $100 per passenger, compared to a global average of $40 in 2023.

These reforms aim to ease travel costs and boost the air transport sector while maintaining safety protocols aligned with international standards. A transition phase in 2025 will allow member states to make necessary legislative and budgetary changes. 

ECOWAS also plans to engage international partners for support and will establish a Regional Oversight Committee to ensure commitments are met. The initiative aligns with continental projects like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), which aim to enhance connectivity across Africa.

Esaïe Edoh

Togo is set to launch the Djanta Tech Hub in Lomé, a technology center designed to transform the country's entrepreneurial ecosystem. Founded in 2018 and covering an area of 3,000 square meters, the Djanta Tech Hub is supported by Co-Creation Hub (CcHub), an innovation and technology entrepreneurship organization based in Nigeria. The new hub will support Togolese startups, particularly in the tech, agritech, and edtech sectors, following the successful model of iHub in Nairobi.

“It will be a hub managed by CcHub - the hub belongs to the government of Togo, but we will set it up and manage it for them,” said Ojoma Ochai, managing director of CcHub and head of iHub operations, as quoted by TechCabal. 

The Djanta Tech Hub will include several strategic components, such as Djanta Academy, a center for digital training, and Djanta Start, a business accelerator and incubator. It will also house NanaTech, a space dedicated to businesswomen, and Djanta Lab, a space focused on prototyping and research. 

Additional facilities will include coworking spaces, conference rooms, and a one-stop shop for startups' administrative needs. In preparation for the launch, several key positions are being filled through recruitment organized by the supervisory ministry.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Divisional Police Commissioner Babarime Akatao took office as the new Director General of the Togo’s National Police on November 12, 2024. The handover ceremony was held at the National Police Headquarters (DGPN) in Lomé and presided over by the Minister of Security, Calixte Batossi Madjoulba. Akatao replaces Colonel Yaovi Okpaoul, who has held the position since April 2019.

In his inaugural address, Akatao acknowledged the significant responsibilities that accompany his new role. “We are fully aware of the magnitude of this mission, an immense responsibility which requires not only unfailing commitment but also, above all, a clear vision and constant determination to achieve our objectives and protect our republican values.” he declared.

Babarime Akatao has a master’s degree in law, specializing in judicial careers, and another master’s in internal security. He trained at the Kpewa National Commando Training Center, graduated in 2005, and has occupied various positions within the police force since then. Before being appointed as Director General, he served as the central commissioner for the city of Lomé.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Taïrou Bagbiegue is the new Governor of Togo’s Maritime Region. Appointed on August 23, 2024, by President Faure Gnassingbé, Bagbiegue officially took office on November 12. The inauguration ceremony took place in Tsévié, the region's capital, and was attended by various political and traditional leaders.

Col. Awate Hodabalo, the Minister in charge of Territorial Administration presided over the ceremony. He underscored the challenges associated with administrative deconcentration, stating "Deconcentration remains a vast undertaking and a huge task. Each player must play his part alongside the government and the governor." 

In his address, Taïrou Bagbiegue highlighted the importance of harmonious cooperation among the decentralized services of various sectoral ministries. "From now on, we'll all have to work together to ensure the success of development projects initiated by the government and involving our region. It is my duty to ensure that this dynamic is a real strength, based as it is on trust, sharing, and cohesion. I am committed to sharing my experiences and initiatives with you," he remarked.

Bagbiegue previously held several high-profile roles, including Minister of Mines and Energy since 2012 and Minister of Technical Education, Training, and Professional Integration since 2020.

The week before he took over, Zouréhatou Kassah-Traoré was inaugurated as Governor of Greater Lomé. According to recent government announcements, three additional appointments are anticipated: Affoh Atcha-Dedji as governor of the Savanes region, Komlan Adjitowou in the Kara region, and Dadja Maganawé in the Plateaux region.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

The U.S. Embassy in Togo launched its Public Diplomacy (PD) small grants program for 2025 on November 8. The embassy has opened a call for project proposals from interested organizations, with submissions accepted until July 31, 2025. This funding initiative is designed to support Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), think tanks, and both public and private educational institutions.

Successful projects will be financed, through grants, fixed-amount fellowships (FAA), or cooperation agreements with the U.S. Embassy in Togo. The financial backing for these initiatives will range from $10,000 to $25,000 per project, with a total budget of $60,000 allocated for the entire program.

Proposed initiatives must align with the embassy’s strategic themes, including peace and security, strengthening democratic institutions, and promoting economic growth and development. The projects can take various forms, such as academic conferences, professional seminars, artistic workshops, and academic exchanges, fostering diverse approaches to meet development and cooperation needs.

Earlier this week, Togo's government and the World Bank approved the 2025 work plan and budget for the country's social cohesion project in the northern regions of the Gulf of Guinea (CoSo). Details of the plan have not yet been disclosed but it aims to enhance regional collaboration to make border communities more resilient to climate and socioeconomic shocksimprove the socio-economic and climatic resilience of border communities. This decision follows satisfactory results from the project's implementation over the past two years, as reported by the steering committee during a meeting with Prime Minister Victoire Tomégah-Dogbé.

"After more than two years of implementation, we have all noted significant progress in the project's priority sectors. The sectors of education, energy, water, agriculture, grassroots development, and youth have been strongly impacted, mainly in the Savanes region, which accounts for 90% of the beneficiary cantons," said Prime Minister Tomégah-Dogbé.

According to Fily Sissoko, World Bank Resident Representative, "Togo has achieved the best results to date." This success is largely due to the opening of the Community and Refugee Support Window, which has helped mobilize $23 million in funding for vulnerable populations. 

The CoSo project aims to enhance regional collaboration and improve the socio-economic and climatic resilience of border communities in the northern Gulf of Guinea countries. The initiative has received an investment of CFA33 billion from the World Bank, along with nearly CFA14 billion in additional funding.

Esaïe Edoh